I wouldn't recommend this to my friends, not because I was disappointed, but because this isn't the kind of book my friends would find interesting. If I had a friend who was interested in this kind of subject, I'd definitely recommend it to the because Boy goes through a bunch of life changes that really get you to start thinking. 3Q3P The cover art is okay and I'd recommend this for high school and middle school students. I chose to read this book because my teacher passed out random books for an activity one day and when I got this I read the back and thought it sounded interesting. AliciaH

I don’t think this one quite reached the heights of the previous volume, the storyline was not as gripping, and I felt the characters of the Emperor and Maxim, were a little too stereotypical. However, Sedgwick still conjures a satisfying and wonderfully dark and Gothic atmosphere to wrap his tale in. Perfect reading for a chilly winters night.

Read and comment on my full review at:
http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2009/01/20/the-dark-flight-down-by-marcus-sedgwi... ( )

Pretty good ( )

Second book. Boy has been taken in by Kepler and Willow has been sent to an orphange. When Boy goes back to Valerian's house to get a telescope lens, he is kidnapped by the palace guards as the Emperor is on a quest from immortallity and Valerian was rumoured to have THE Book that could grant it. Meanwhile, some "thing" is haunting the streets of the City, killing and draining the blood of the inhabitants. At the palace, Boy speaks the truth in the audience and shows the King how a trick is done- thus winning the King's favour and the ire of his priest. Eventually the right-hand man tells the Court about who lives at the botttom of the Dark Flight of Stairs. (It is the King's only son and HE is the monster that has been attacking the City residents at night.) Boy also learns the truth about his origins but in the end chooses Willow over a life of luxury. A dark fairytale. ( )

Following on from The Book Of Dead Days, The Dark Flight Down is an enjoyable read, following Boy since he left his former master, the magician Valerian. Throughout the nameless city that is Boy's home a number of gruesome murders are comitted by the mysterious Phantom. At the same time Boy's quest for the truth about his father leads him to the Imperial Palace at the heart of the city, where in turn the Emperor is searching for Boy, for his own dark ends.

Perhaps not as gripping as its predecessor, but a good read nevertheless, especially if you've read and enjoyed The Book Of Dead Days.